Rathlin Island South Lighthouse

Located on Rathlin Island, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Rathlin is the Northern most point of Northern Ireland (you can actually see Scotland from it!). There's a lovely walk to the South Lighthouse, which is known as Rue Lighthouse by locals. Rathlin has three lighthouses (you can imagine how excited I was!) and Rue Lighthouse is the smallest, standing at just 35 feet. A light was initially recommended here in 1914, and a temporary white double flashing light was erected, but this was wrecked in a severe storm in 1917 (kinda ironic that the structure intended to prevent wrecks in storms was wrecked in a storm...). The light was then transferred to the undamaged fog gun trestle (that no longer exists). 

A path right up to it, no climbing walls!

In 1920-21 this permanent 6 sided tower was built and was designed as an unmanned lighthouse. Although apparently two keepers were working on it and living in wooden huts when on duty. Good job really, as there can't be much room inside there with the generator! It was converted to electric in 1965 and runs from mains electricity. 

As you can see, there's ladders leading up to the front door. Of course I attempted to climb this, and it looks easy...well it isn't. The ladders are locked in such a way that it's impossible. It isn't that high, but it is very windy. I got hold of the red handles, but they are sprayed with sea water and hard to hold on to. There are several photos of me in ridiculous positions hanging from the lighthouse, I won't be including these in the blog however! 

The walk took us around an hour each way, with strange noisy birds and picturesque lakes to be seen along the way. As the lighthouse comes in to view, you may become aware that there are seals across the water with their eyes on you. All very lovely.

Rathlin Island East Lighthouse

Located on Rathlin Island, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. This lighthouse has been flashing out to mariners since 1856, making it the oldest lighthouse on this island (there are three lighthouses on Rathlin!) Rathlin is a very small Island with not much on it (but plenty to see!) so the lighthouses are clearly sign posted and mapped (not many of my lighthouse expeditions have been so easy). On speaking to a local woman and asking her about the East Lighthouse, she informed us that we could only walk 'so far' and the lighthouse itself was 'not accessible'...well it's true, we walked so far and reached a locked gate, and the usual keep out/private property signs that so often accompany lighthouses was mounted clearly on the wall. So we climbed of course! These sites are very very rarely complete with security measures to stop such climbing. Something occurred to us when we excitedly spotted the East Light, it is always flashing, even during the daylight. 

As you can see there are actually two lanterns attached to this lighthouse. An upper occulting light and a lower fixed light  - so not to be confused with other lights when approaching The North Channel. The lower light was discontinued in 1894, and at the same time the tower light intensified. The tower is built of stone collected from the island (cool fact huh?) and it stands tall at 88 feet. The colour of the tower was originally natural stone with a broad red belt under the lantern. Then the stone was painted white (still with the red belt), this lasted until 1934 when the red belt was changed to the black it is today. I don't know who decides on colour themes for lighthouses, but personally I think i'd prefer the red belt...

In 1995 it became automated and the keepers were withdrawn from the station. The station site is quite large, consisting of several small stone huts (attempted to explore but too creepy) and a large house complete with abandoned car. It is now in care of an attendant (whom was nowhere to be seen) and is monitored by the depot in Dun Laoghaire.